BASKETBALL FROM A FANS PERSPECTIVE
Direct knowledge
I said I was going to withhold commentary until afterwards, I’m referring to the on-going trial in New York regarding college basketball. Most disturbing is not the allegation of payments but Roy Williams. The “aw shucks” comment by Williams is difficult for me to comprehend. How long has he been coaching at a high-profile institution? He may not have direct knowledge but surely, he’s been aware over the years the seamy side of basketball recruiting.
There’s been no “smoking
gun” testimony aimed at a coach however names have been mentioned. I’m continuing to pose the question first raised,
nothing can be done to the players in the NBA, but shouldn’t the school be penalized? I’m just cynical I guess….as smart as I
believe these guys are they were oblivious to all the goings on around them? The one name I can mention at this point is
former coach Rick Pitino, come on Rick you were unaware your assistant coach was hiring prostitutes. This story continues to unfold, it’s proved
quite interesting to date.
A couple of points
They are still exhibition games at least for the next 5 days. A couple of points regarding Wednesday’s evenings games. In Atlanta Trae Young scored the winning basket along with 22 points and 7 assists. Young took a 35-40 shot with 3 or 4 seconds remaining in the game. The point, the drive-time sports radio host was highly critical of Young while the youngster played at Oklahoma. This guy even hinted Young might not be that talented, doesn’t matter his discussion occurred during the time Oklahoma wasn’t playing very well.
A couple of points
They are still exhibition games at least for the next 5 days. A couple of points regarding Wednesday’s evenings games. In Atlanta Trae Young scored the winning basket along with 22 points and 7 assists. Young took a 35-40 shot with 3 or 4 seconds remaining in the game. The point, the drive-time sports radio host was highly critical of Young while the youngster played at Oklahoma. This guy even hinted Young might not be that talented, doesn’t matter his discussion occurred during the time Oklahoma wasn’t playing very well.
This is no guarantee Young can play at the NBA level but at
least give him a chance before writing him off.
In Las Vegas LeBron James Lakers faced the Warriors, LeBron only played
15 minutes, the Lakers beat the Warriors 123-113. West Coast games for us in the East and Midwest
Time Zones cause us a sleep issue, they extend far beyond our bedtime. I didn’t see the end of the game I had to
catch the final score and highlights on NBA TV.
Brandon Ingram and Kyle Kuzma must have played outstanding in the second
half of the game because the first half is all I managed to see.
Montreal?
I gained more information than expected while checking the box score. The Raptors-Nets re-play was on NBA TV at the time I turned on my television. I noticed the end line logo read, Montreal. Curious scanning the crowd I wondered about attendance I decided to check. The Montreal Gazette headline read, “Montreal group will be ready if NBA decides to expand.” Up to this point I had no idea Montreal was even interested in an NBA team of their own. The article pointed out a group of Montreal citizens were ready to purchase a team.
I gained more information than expected while checking the box score. The Raptors-Nets re-play was on NBA TV at the time I turned on my television. I noticed the end line logo read, Montreal. Curious scanning the crowd I wondered about attendance I decided to check. The Montreal Gazette headline read, “Montreal group will be ready if NBA decides to expand.” Up to this point I had no idea Montreal was even interested in an NBA team of their own. The article pointed out a group of Montreal citizens were ready to purchase a team.
One of the leaders met with commissioner Adam Silver and although
they might be a 2nd tier expansion site they still want NBA
basketball. The likely location for Montreal’s
expansion NBA team would be The Bell Centre Arena home of the NHL Canadians. The building seats 22,000 for basketball, so
there we have another Canadian city possibly desiring the NBA. As for attendance at the game I was unable to
locate the data after an extensive search on several sites. Bottom line Seattle must be at the top of the
list for expansion, it’s likely two teams would be added at the same time for
balance. Could it be Seattle and
Montreal or maybe Seattle and Mexico City?
On the other hand, the second team might be one we are likely
overlooking.
He touched several lives
If one lives to the age of 96 you should have impacted many lives. That statement certainly is true of long-time coach Fred “Tex” Winter. Winter was devoted to the game he loved serving at several stops throughout his college and NBA career. I’m unsure if he invented the triple-post or triangle offense but he certainly perfected it. We need look no further than the Bulls and Laker championship teams to witness the offense played at the highest level. After serving as head coach at Kansas State Winter moved to the NBA and was an assistant to Phil Jackson. R.I.P. coach, father and grandfather Tex Winter you were a value to many you tutored through the years.
If one lives to the age of 96 you should have impacted many lives. That statement certainly is true of long-time coach Fred “Tex” Winter. Winter was devoted to the game he loved serving at several stops throughout his college and NBA career. I’m unsure if he invented the triple-post or triangle offense but he certainly perfected it. We need look no further than the Bulls and Laker championship teams to witness the offense played at the highest level. After serving as head coach at Kansas State Winter moved to the NBA and was an assistant to Phil Jackson. R.I.P. coach, father and grandfather Tex Winter you were a value to many you tutored through the years.
Brothers
Throughout NBA history there have been a few brother combos in action at times. On an ever-rarer instance we’ve had 3 brothers play at the same time. In the 1970’s we had 4 Jones’s brothers playing they were Caldwell, Major, Charles and Wil. Later the Barry brothers Jon, Brent and Drew would arrive at intervals in the NBA. With the June draft we have the Holiday brothers in the NBA now. Elder brother Justin now plays for the Bulls, middle brother Jrue is a member of the Pelicans. Baby brother Aaron was drafted in June by the Pacers. The Holiday brothers are all point guards however Jrue on occasion slides over and becomes a two guard.
Throughout NBA history there have been a few brother combos in action at times. On an ever-rarer instance we’ve had 3 brothers play at the same time. In the 1970’s we had 4 Jones’s brothers playing they were Caldwell, Major, Charles and Wil. Later the Barry brothers Jon, Brent and Drew would arrive at intervals in the NBA. With the June draft we have the Holiday brothers in the NBA now. Elder brother Justin now plays for the Bulls, middle brother Jrue is a member of the Pelicans. Baby brother Aaron was drafted in June by the Pacers. The Holiday brothers are all point guards however Jrue on occasion slides over and becomes a two guard.
